State and Government in Ancient India c12.s10.2

c12.s10.2

Considerable precautions were taken for the personal safety of the king. The *Arthaśāstra* (I. 21) narrates how streets were carefully guarded when the king was going outside and how a careful watch was kept over the visitors in the audience hall. A bodyguard of smart swordsmen was always on attendance on the king. The king used to often change his room of residence in the palace to upset possible plots of murder and his food was first tested to detect whether there was any poisoning.